Advanced Tactics - Hidden Maps
Contributed by Michael P. Leung,
Edited by Bob Heeter. Original dated March 17, 1996; additional ideas
added May 4, 1996
Tactics for Hidden Maps
- Keep in mind that Flying units can uncover more map space than land
units. Flying units can uncover a 5x5 area while land units only uncover a
3x3 area. (However, when you take over a city, a 5x5 area in uncovered
even if you take it over with a land unit.)
- Try to explore the map in a diagonal direction. With a flying
unit, you will uncover 9 spaces vs. 5 spaces per move. Even if you want to
go straight, move in a zig-zag pattern (except for roads.)
- Sending scouting units on roads is a very good way to uncover large
areas of map in a hurry.
- In INITIAL exploration, I try to stay away from mountains (not
hills) since it is less likely to have clusters of cities near mountains
(from experience only).
- My personal preference is to use bats to uncover hidden areas of
the map. Build them! (This may not be true for other army sets.)
- In the beginning of the turn, always move your scouting units first, and use
the information gained to optimize the movement of the rest of your units.
- Use the edge of the map! Most players, computer and human alike
(myself included when I first started playing,) do not take the time and
effort to explore the edges of the map. You may be able to use this to your
advantage!
- Use the movement keys (qwedcxza or numerical keypad) when exploring.
Otherwise, you risk the computer selecting a roundabout route that cannot
be un-done.
- Always try to uncover ALL your territory. Otherwise, the route
selected by the computer may not be optimal. A good practice is us use
command-click (on the Mac) to see the route selected by the computer. If
it is acceptable, you can use the move key to move your units.
- Also, ruins, temples, or advancing stacks of enemies may be
lurking in any areas you haven't explored!
- Manage your scouting units carefully, think about where to build
them and where to send them, and think AHEAD. In most games against other
humans, you only have the first few turns to scout in other playerıs
territory.
- A good strategy to use is to build a scouting unit after you have
taken over a neutral city and produce it for the first turn. This will
increase you cityıs defense and allow you to explore the area surrounding
the city.
- When borders are negotiated, you can still explore the other
player's territory: Send rangers or bats in and DISBAND them in the same
turn! (This may be considered cheating by some.)
- Always destroy other players' scouts. My theory is: the less my opponent
knows, the better. Even your allies should know better than to snoop.
- contributed by Eric Grosshans, with more by Bob Heeter
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